Afraid to hire someone

I am on a similar situation now that I need drivers to run under my authority.

I had many driver when leased on to companies. With over 10 years of being am owner of more then 1 truck, we had 1 jacknife, 2 rollerovers and one hitting a snow bank. Mostly from newer driver (1-2 years of experience. We will not be hiring what we hired before.

We had some excellent driver who took better care of the trucks then we did. They have now bought their own trucks and left mine parked lol. However, they do refer drivers to me, once in a while


There are great drivers out there, just be picky.

 

Once you realize that you are just hiring a driver it gets easier. Stop expecting them to treat it like it is their truck or pay them like it is. Once in a while you'll find someone who does. When you interview someone, as soon as you hear a "I don't/won't", just tune out and let them go on their way. Same for the one's that give you the answers you want to hear. Learn to spot the BS.

 

Here is the thing, if you are so wrapped up in making sure someone takes care of the truck you won't ever hire anyone. It is a tool and they as a profession need to take care of it which is a given but if you hesitate to consider drivers because of the mindset that they will not take care of the truck as you would, then you have the problem and it isn’t the driver.

I have no issues with how my drivers take care of the trucks they drive because I tell them that this is their responsibility and it is something that makes them money which is why they do take care of the trucks, some really better than I would ever. I make sure they know what they need to do and emphasize that they are to keep it clean as much as possible and it is right in the contract what clean means. The maintenance only consumes their time, I pay for everything else and will add that I have had only a handful of drivers being screw ups that didn't do much for or on the truck.

 

If you ever hire someone and the day comes that they are ready to quit.
Make sure you get the reason in their own hand writing. Saves a lot of headaches down the road...

 

If he asks right off the bat if the truck is governed, walk away. I would also see how good of a pre trip he performs before I go a step further. If I could clone myself, I would hire me, but there are few people I know that I think treat equipment with the care it deserves.

 

Sorry but this is funny to me and here’s why. I have a background that “jumps” from job to job so to speak so I wouldn’t be a good employee. Now does anyone look at why someone is jumping jobs or do you just “jump” to the next applicants?
I was jumping jobs to get a better one does that count?
I also check my truck everyday and try to make sure everything is fixed but when the shop doesn’t care what am I supposed to do about that. Oh tell someone else well I have and they don’t care but I still check fluids and tires. I show up to work everyday and will do extra if need be and I get nothing to show for it most of the time. It’s hard to find a good job anymore. Most are lies to get you in the door and then you have to stay because you don’t want to “jump” jobs again. I’m actually in this spot right now. I should have stayed were I had been but I got fed some lies and believed them.

 

I think @wore out hit the nail on the head.
How many times do you pull out a couple of wrenches and fix a mud flap, or put a wrench on a bolt that was leaking.
I think a guy that won't do little stuff and is in a TA for all manner of dumb ####, would be the killer, more so than the roll over. I mean nobody wants to die, for the most part.
It's the little stuff. I know the small company I worked at, a lot of the insides of those trucks were absolutely THRASHED.
When the cab looks like those trucks did, you know those guys never even take the time to walk around the truck.

Good luck in your quest. I had my own electrical business for 10 years. I'd go through 25 guys to find 1.

Most people that are worth a dang, are doing their own thing.

I've had people ask me already if I'd get another truck. I do lots of finger printing of some loads, and it is a work out. I enjoy it. A lot of people would be going "Oh F that." lol

I don't think many realize what it's like to be on the road for even two weeks.

 

Drivers are not all alike, most drivers will not care for your equipment like you do..heck some of them cant even change a headlight. The important thing is to find a driver with a good disposition and with verifiable experience no accidents felonies etc. The other stuff you can deal with. Bottom line is you might go through one or two bad drivers but if you are a good boss you will find a good driver eventually. Its gonna take a lot of patience for sure

 

Ridgeline made a good point.
The truck and trailer are tools. Just make sure the driver isn't.
I was able to make a few runs with new hires. Two trucks same load, same delivery. Helped a little to evaluate the driver.
Nightgunner just take your time, do the best you can with the hiring process.

There is no right way to hire. You know what you need from the driver. Trust your gut feeling.

Good luck.